Allywag Hanover will reunite with archrival Tattoo Artist on Thursday night (Nov. 9) at Rosecroft Raceway, where two of North America’s most celebrated aged pacers will face off for a rematch in the $125,000 Potomac Pace Invitational.
It took a world record for Allywag Hanover to defeat favoured Tattoo Artist by a length last year in Rosecroft’s marquee race, turning in the fastest mile ever paced over a five-eighths of a mile track with a 1:46.4 clocking.
Allywag Hanover, who has won 27 races and more than $2.2 million in purses for Allywag Stable, will attempt to halt a rare four-race losing streak in the Potomac Pace, in which he finished second as the beaten favourite in 2021.
“I trained him [Friday] and he was actually perfect. I can’t say that every time I sit behind him,” said trainer Brett Pelling. “He’s doing well. He’s happy. He’s healthy.”
Regular driver Todd McCarthy will return with Allywag Hanover, who drew the No. 4 post position in a field of eight.
Owned by Let It Ride Stables Inc., Bottom Line Racing LLC and Frank Cannon, Tattoo Artist enters the Potomac Pace as the beaten favourite in the Oct. 28 Breeders Crown Open, in which he finished third. Racing from his stateside stable base with Chris Ryder, the six-year-old son of Hes Watching will start from the inside post position with Louis-Philippe Roy listed to drive.
A career winner of 40 races and more than $3.2 million, the O'Brien Award-winning Tattoo Artist had a seven-win streak broken in the Breeders Crown, won by Bythemissal, who is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
Double millionaire Bythemissal enters Rosecroft Raceway’s marquee race on a three-race winning streak, including a length decision over Allywag Hanover in the Oct. 21 Breeders Crown elimination and a 1-1/2-length triumph in the Oct. 28 Breeders Crown final at Hoosier Park.
In the Breeders Crown, Bythemissal defeated five rivals he is scheduled to face in the Potomac Pace: Lous Pearlman (second), Tattoo Artist (third), Allywag Hanover (fourth), Abuckabett Hanover (fifth), and Linedrive Hanover (seventh).
“He’s probably as sharp as he’s ever been right now,” said trainer Ron Burke, who will also be represented in the Potomac Pace field by Lous Pearlman. "Everything seems to be really good for him right now.”
Regular driver Yannick Gingras and Bythemissal will leave from the No. 7 post position on Thursday night.
The complete field for the Potomac Pace Invitational is listed below in post position order.
$125,000 Potomac Pace
Post - Horse - Driver - Trainer
1. Tattoo Artist - Louis Roy - Chris Ryder
2. Linedrive Hanover - Scott Zeron - Linda Toscano
3. Leonidas A - Austin Siegelman - Mathew Medeiros
4. Allywag Hanover - Todd McCarthy - Brett Pelling
5. Abuckabett Hanover - Dexter Dunn - Andrew Harris
6. Lous Pearlman - Tim Tetrick - Ron Burke
7. Bythemissal - Yannick Gingras - Ron Burke
8. Idealsomemagic A - Jordan Stratton - Cory Stratton
(With files from Rosecroft Raceway)